Lateral lip sclerectomy

OVER the past several years, the following sclerectomy operation has been evolved in New Orleans, based on Allen's cyclodialysis modification. 1 After preparation, anesthesia and akinesia, a superior rectus bridle suture is placed and secured. An 8 mm curving flap of conjunctiva and Tenon's is created and folded over the cornea. The limbus is cleaned with a Tooke blade. With a No. 67 Beaver blade, a radial groove is made from the anterior most limit of the limbus and extending posterior for 3 to 4 mm (Figure, A ). One 7-0 black silk suture is passed across the groove, drawn up in the center, and cut. The ends are used to apply traction to gape the groove, which is then deepened down to the choroid (Figure, B ). Cautery is used for hemostasis only if scleral bleeding obscures the groove. Using a cyclodialysis spatula, the sclera is separated from the underlying choroid